The Black church has a long and spirited history of providing comfort, a place of refuge and a breeding ground for social justice, since its early beginnings when enslaved Africans established and relied on them. No matter your thoughts on Christianity or organized religion as a whole, a discussion on American history, politics and/or culture couldn’t be intelligently had without recognition of the Black church. Naturally, like most institutions, leadership is just as crucial as individuals that make up congregations.
Leadership comes in many forms and every now and then someone comes along who really shakes things up. More impressive however, is when that person, one with such a deep commitment to their own ideals actually shakes things up with the acceptance, support and affirmation of others with different ideals from their own. It’s a subtle and selfless kind of altruism with the potential to make a lasting impact.
At under 35 years of age, Pastor Ravon Moore is one of those people. He is a young Black gay man who is truly making a difference in the lives of others.
Originally from Orangeburg, South Carolina, Moore has lived in South Charlotte since he relocated to the area in 2014 after his father passed away. Moore has officially served as a pastor since 2022 but began preaching at just seven-years-old with the United Methodist Church.
Almost two decades later he serves as Chaplin for The Hospice of Lancaster, South Carolina and Atrium Health-CMC where he also serves as Bereavement Coordinator. In these roles, he offers “comfort and spiritual care to people who feel disconnected from themselves, God or whatever deities or spiritual beliefs they may have.” During this interview he shares some of his thoughts and beliefs on sharing his faith through an inclusive lens which aims to support and affirm communities that have often been hurt or ostracized by the very thing that should provide respite and motivation.
L’Monique King: What attracted you to ministry?
Ravon Moore: Being in church as a little boy – seeing the culture of fellowship as well as watching people find their healing space.
LMK: Is ministering to people who are not of the same faith, agnostic or atheist challenging?
RM: In the beginning it was. Now it has become very interesting and educational for me. It gives me a chance to learn about who people are and what brings them to a place of wholeness – so it expands my mind in understanding people. It’s increased my passion for meeting the needs of others.
LMK: As a Christian and a person with immense faith in God, how do you comfort those who do believe as you do?
RM: By meeting them where they are, wherever they may be. Even though I’m a Christian, biblical scripture says, “love covers a multitude…”, and so I believe meeting people where they are with love versus imposing my spiritual beliefs upon them allows them to feel seen as well as heard.
LMK: What was it like for you, preaching at seven?
RM: I rushed life, because of growing up preaching. When I turned 20, I already felt 30. When you’re a child in ministry you [are put in a position to] have to experience adulthood early. Spiritual leaders want to start modeling and shaping you, so you’re seeing and hearing things you really shouldn’t be dealing with as a child. Things like divorce and other traumas, exposing you to the [harsh] realities of life. Those spiritual leaders are giving something good to you also, by guiding and teaching you about faith, but I really want our younger generation to experience life, go to high school, go to college (many don’t) and have friends. Not just those you see in church.
LMK: What’s your greatest challenge as an LGBTQ+ clergy member?
RM: Battling with traditional religious order and my belief in who I feel God has called and chosen me to be. Over time, we’ve been looked at as sinful, unwanted and an abomination. So, I’ve had to deal with feelings of wondering if God had any need or use for me. God had no longer become my protector and ally but my adversary and enemy.
LMK: What changed that for you?
RM: Bishop O.C. Allan II. Watching him help uplift many other people in the LGBTQ community was a great inspiration to me. He took it upon himself to bring together people from the LGBTQ community and allies together and love them right where they were. He literally built a community that shifted to become a family.
LMK: In your role as a Bereavement Coordinator what words of consolation do you offer those facing the loss of a loved one?
RM: I tell partners and loved ones to embrace the lasting impact of each valued moment and every day shared.
LMK: Is there a special person in your life that you spend free time with? Are you partnered?
RM: Yes. We’ve been together for about six months and it’s wonderful. He’s a hardworking gentleman with a great sense of concern [for others]. We met at a gathering with friends at a time when I was afraid to love again after my previous relationship ended abusively. Now, I can say – my relationship is one of the best decisions that I’ve made in a long time; facing fear head on.
LMK: Soooo, dinner or the movies?
RM: Movies.
LMK: What’s self-care look like for you?
RM: <Hearty laughter> This is the third time I’ve been asked that question today. I feel like God is trying to tell me something. It looks like taking a step back and being comfortable with the boundaries you’ve set when you step away from what you normally do that keeps you moving at a working pace. Also, it is a chance, a time when you get to be selfish. So, when I practice self-care, I’m having a nice night of wine with friends, having conversations and reflective moments.
LMK: Red wine or white wine?
RM: Red.
LMK: What are your top two bucket list items?
RM: I want to live in Switzerland when I turn 65 and I want to build a chaplaincy educational program within the LGBTQ community that teaches others how to become Chaplains.
LMK: In thinking about today’s socio-political climate, what concerns you most?
RM: The rights of people being taken away. The idea that freedom can be taken away and [government with] a dictatorship mentality that seems to keep forgetting; LGBTQ+ community members have a right to make decisions, live with them and the life they’ve been given.
LMK: This seems like a good time to ask you – if you do, what makes you want to curse?
RM: Honestly, nothing makes me curse, it’s just a part of my natural human DNA <chuckling>. I feel like if it comes out and it does. I feel like society has made such a bad thing, but they need to understand that even Peter had a human moment when he had to deny Jesus and he cursed.
LMK: Aside from that, what would people be surprised to know about you?
RM: That I battle with confidence issues. It’s hard believing in myself when I’ve had to fight through so much criticism and judgment from so many people. I’ve experienced so much failure that success didn’t look normal. However, I’ve gradually grown to make success part of my day-to-day life and I’m learning to see success in a different way so that it has become a part of me and not detached from me.
LMK: What’s next for you? Working on any potential successes?
RM: I’m very excited about planning “The Release” a day retreat. It’s something that’s being put together to help LGBTQ+ and allies of the community release whatever part of them that has a blockage, whether that be the ability to forgive, low self-esteem or trauma from abuse. It will be done through mindfulness, spoken word and open conversation. We’ll be serving refreshments – food for the soul. There’s no admission fee and it will be held at Hearts United For Good (HUG) on May 4, from 11am to 2pm. So far, we’re already getting good responses with a few folks already suggesting that we hold the retreat longer, past two o’clock.
LMK: In closing, are there any thoughts you’d like to share with readers?
RM: I encourage readers to never minimize the vision when God has given you a maximized gift. Whether it be the gift of leading or the gift of love, don’t allow self-doubt to stop you from believing in what’s right in front of you – your gift.